Interview The Snow Angels on the return of the CTA Christmas Train

It’s that time of year again—it’s time for Santa and the CTA Holiday Train to appear at Chicago’s train stations. On Nov. 20 and 21, the train will appear for the first time at the Red and Purple Lines. And what better way to ring in the coming of the elusive and garish train than to listen to the Chicago power-pop anthem “CTA Christmas Train” by The Snow Angels?

The Angels include members of Chicago bands Vee Dee, Johnny And The Limelites, Mannequin Men, and The Automatic Stinging Machines. Seven years ago at a Christmas party, they decided to learn and play Christmas songs, came up with terrible pun names (Rey N. Deere, Santa Coz, etc.), and formed a band that plays every holiday season. Last year, they released their album, Seasonal Help, which features the total jam “CTA Christmas Train.” Although they’re not playing the Hideout until Dec. 16, we talked to guitarist Chris Maas about the CTA Christmas train.

The A.V. Club: Have you ever actually taken a ride on the CTA Christmas train?

Chris Maas: Negatory.

AVC: Have any of you actually seen it?

CM: I know Don [December XXV]’s seen it, but it’s funny, I’ve never even seen it.

AVC: If none of you have intimate details of riding the train, why did you write the song?

CM: The song came together pretty quickly. Since we’re Chicago-centric, it’s one of those amazing things about the city that needed to be written about. We literally wrote it in 10 minutes. It’s pretty simple—it’s basically a Ramones song. We saw videos of it on YouTube and stuff. I think one of the train cars is just a flatbed. It’s fully exposed, and then there’s a Christmas thing going on with Santa. That guy’s flying out in the elements and going through the tunnels completely exposed? It’s unbelievable.

AVC: It's pretty insane.

CM: I’m surprised the CTA hasn’t tried to cut it yet, considering they’re trying to brand the train lines and stops and stuff.

AVC: Yeah. But they can’t be spending too much on it—I’ve never seen it.

CM: Yeah, I’m hoping to catch a glimpse of it this year. That’s the dream.

AVC: Do you think Nov. 20 is too early to have a Christmas train?

CM: I don’t think so. I think it’s nice that they’re starting it early. I was in Macy’s a couple weeks ago, and they had already decorated. It was this warm weather, and you walk into Macy’s and it’s Christmas. It’s kind of funny.

AVC: So aside from the Hideout show, do you guys have any other plans?

CM: We might do some private shows, and we might do Chic-A-Go-Go. They’re doing a holiday show, and hopefully we’ll get to do that. I’ve never done Chic-A-Go-Go as a performer, but I have been on there as a dancer.